Valve construction



Aug. 18, 1936. E. J. SVENSONY VALVE CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 24, 1950 Q afi 5. %w& .3 5 mw w] I 6wv 30kg. Q J 2 m 2 2 w m 2 9m 0 1 Z 1 w m wpintle is employed to control fluid under high practical cons PatentedAug 18, 1936 UNITED ,s'rATEs'T i-iArE T OFFICE Appucaufi:b:::::?9::::430,866

Claims. (01.251-91) My present invention relates generally to fluidcontrol means, and particularly to fluid control valves oifl the rotarytype.

Serious difliculties resulting from fluid slippage have been experiencedin using conventional types of rotary valves. These difllcultieahavebeen particularly noticeable in connection with the operation of highpressure fluid pumps as,

for example, variable displacement pumps of the rotary plunger type,wherein a central valve or pressure. In fact, considerable slippage orleakage of high pressure fluid along the surface of these conventionaltypes of rotary valves has been experienced, with the result that thefluid becomes overheated and the fluid propelling efllciencyofjlthepurnping' mechanism is materially decreased; 7

My presentinventioncontemplates the provision of a rotar'ylvalvearrangement of improved F10 ,?which may be employed to directfluiduindermressure in such a manner as to prevent' saidifluidfroinslipping or. leaking.

for use with.plung'er .-pumpsand' the'like.

It is an object of my present invention to propractical valveconstruction,

structurasaid structure and valve being relatively rotatable,'-'and tothis end I propose to so- Another object, is to'provide a rotaryjvalveas a above set forth which v with a driving means at one extremitythereof in I may be 'detachably coupled such a manner as to prevent sidethrusts from being imparted'to said valve, Still another object of mypresentinvention is to provide a bearing'structure in which oil or otherfluid under pressure mayjbe introduced between the surfaces of thebearing elements in such a manner as to maintain a fluid fllm bethevalve and its bearing nection with the accompanying drawing, wheretakensubstantially along I propose 'to provide a bearing construction whichcomprises a tapered member mounted within a companion aperturedbearing-member, said members being arranged to receive fluid underpressure, the pressure of the fluid serving 10 to maintain spacedrelation between said members, the tapered disposition of the partsbeing such as to present a larger annular space between said parts atone end thereof, toward which the fluid moves slowly in response torelative rota- 15 tion between the parts.

These and numerous other objects and advantages will be more apparentfrom the following detailed description when considered in con- Figure 1discloses a longitudinal central sectional view of a valveconstructionwhich is representative of one embodiment of my invention; a

- Figure 2 is atransverse vertical sectional view the line 2-2 of FiglueR Figure 3 is a similar transverse sectional view taken along the line3-3-01 Figure 1;

c Figure 4 is a perspective .view of a detached rotary valve member;,Figure5 is a central sectional view disclosing a the manner in whicha'single valve member may be secured against longitudinal displacement;and

Figure 6- is a diagrammatic illustration of the shearing or valvearrangement-disclosed in combination with fluid pumping mechanisms.

Referring now to the drawing more in detail wherein like numerals havebeen ,employed to designate similar parts throughout the variousfigures, it will be seen that for the purpose of illustrating onepractical application of myv in- ,vention, I have shown the same inassociation with firagmentary portions of a pump 7 mechanism, whichsimulates the pump structure shown in my below-mentioned co-p'endingapplication.

In Figure 11 of the drawing I have shown a double valve arrangement inwhich a pair of similar pump housings I 0 are arranged in axialalinement, with the'bearing sections I 2 there- 'of abutting a spacerring I. A pipeline l6 which is connected to the spacer ring I4 isadapted to be connected-with a suitable source of fluid supply,

such as a Bear pump I 5, shown diagrammatically in Figure 6, while pipelines it in the housing sections i2 are adapted to be connected withstations to be supplied with fluid. Mounted in each section I2 is asuitable bearing or bushing which provides a support or bearing for arotary tapered valve member 22.

Each of the valve members 22 is provided with a slot 24 at the smallerextremity thereof which is adapted to receive a tongue 26 of a suitabledriving member 28. The opposite extremity of each valve member supportsan anti-friction thrust bearing 30, and interposed between these thrustbearings 30 is a suitable abutment or pin 32. This pin 32 is adapted toeffect longitudinal adjustment of the valve members 22, and a lock nut34 secures the threaded abutment in various positions of adjustment.

Fluid from the pipe l6 enters a chamber 35 which is presented within thespacer ring l4, and from this chamber passes through a pair oflongitudinal passages 38. These passages 38 communicate at their innerextremities with a'peripheral valve port 40, and this valve port 40 isadapted to communicate successively with radial passages 12 in the pumphousing ill. The valve member 22 is also provided with a peripheral portit which is oppositely disposed from the port 40, and is also adapted tocommunicate successively with the passages 42 of the pump housing. Fluidfrom the passages 42 enters the valve port 44, and is then directedthrough a pair of passages 45 to an annular port 48. This annular port48 communicates with the exhaust pipe line it. Thus it will be apparentthat fluid from the intake pipe line l6 may be directed through thepassages 38 of the valve into the passages 42, and from these passages42 the fluid may be withdrawn through the valve passages 46 and thenceinto the outlet pipe lines Hi.

The passages 42, as shown in'the drawing, communicate with a plungerpump mechanism 49,- shown diagrammatically in Figure 6. Inasmuch as thepresent invention does not cover a specific pumping mechanism, saidplunger arrangement has not been shown in detail. For a more detaileddescription of a pumping mechanism of the type shown in. the drawing,reference is made to my ,co-pending application, filed February 24,

' plunger pump serve to represent 1930, Serial No. 430,867, now PatentNo. 1,989,117, granted January 29, 1935. These passages 42 passageswhich may be connected to any station for receiving and discharging afluid medium. In other words, the particular valve arrangement shown inthe drawings is adaptable. for use in connection with numerous types ofapparatus and is not in any sense limited for use with fluid propellingdevices, such as the mechanism 49. Attention'is directed to the taperedarrangement of the valve member and its companion seator bearing 20. Byhaving'this arrangement, the leakage or slippage of fluid toward thedriven or smaller end of the valve members 22 is prepresent in theclearance space between the valve and bearing member or sleeve 20 willtakeplace slowly toward the opposite larger end of the valve.

The slow movement of the fluid film in the clearance spacebetween thevalve and bearing member toward the larger end of'the valve will be morereadily apparent when it is understood that said clearancespace-increases in area toward the larger end of the valve. Hence, theresistance to fluid movement is less at valve than at the smaller end.As the fluid under toward its larger end. Obviously,

be prevented by reapresentation of between the valve and its companionbearing.-

' said surfaces the larger end of the pressure is directed to thetapered valve from the passages 42, said fluid pressure will urge thevalve the longitudinal movement of the valve will son of the abutment32, and the position of this abutment can be so adjusted as to enablethe a greater or less clearance space The pressure of the fluid from thepassageways 42 obviously will be greater than the pressure of the fluidwithin the chamber 36. It will be apparent that the taper orfrusto-conical arrangement of the parts may be arranged to suit thepressure of the 1mm. In other words, in some instances it might bedesirable to increase the degree of taper to suit the pressure of thefluid, while in other instances it might be desirable to employ a lessertaper. f

It should be clearly understood that my invention is not in any senselimited fornuse with a valve construction. It can for bearingconstructions, suclras in spindles and the like. In such constructionsthe fluid may be introduced between the two surfaces of the spindlebearing at a suitable high pressure in such a manner as to present anoil film of governed thickness to prevent the two surfaces from rubbingdirectly against each other. The spindle' construction will correspondin detail to the tapered construction of the valve just described, andthe fluid will move slowly toward the larger end thereof in the mannerdescribed, thereby enabling a continuous change of lubricating mediumbetween the bearing surfaces. Applying fluid under pressure to taperedsurfaces in the manner described enables a valve or bearing member torotate without vibration, and further maintains ab-' solute alinementthereof. In other words, it enables an oil film under relatively highpressure to be maintained between two surfaces to prevent from engagingeach other withoutdisturbing the alinement thereof. 7

By having this tapered valve construction, I am able to eliminate theheating of fluid which has been experienced heretofore in connectionwith the use of conventional types of cylindrical rotary valves whereinfluid under pressure is forced through the clearance space presentedalong the valve surface. The leakage or slippage of fluid which has beenexperienced, not only causes the temperature of the fluid to beincreased beyond a reasonable limit, but also greatly reduces theefliciency of the mechanism with which the valve is associated, becausefluid which shouldbe employed for propelling or activating purposes isbeing wasted as a result'of the leakage through the valve fitting. Myimproved construction is extremely simple and yet has proven verypractics] and efllciently operable not only as a means for directingfluid from one point to another, but also as an effective fluid sealingmeans, whereby fluid may be transferred between relatively rotatableparts without, leakage.

In Figure 5 I have shown the manner in which a single rotary valve maybe secured against longitudinal displacement. In this instance I providean end casing member I40. which is secured in any, suitable manneragainst the end surface of the section i2. A chamber 3611 presentedwithin the end casing l4a houses an anti-friction bearing 30a carried bythe rotary valve member 22. A threaded abutment or screw 32a. bearsagainst a thrust member 50, and said abutment is secured in variouspositions of adjustment by means of a lock nut 84a. The anti-frictionthrust bearings 30 and sea, together with'their-adjustable abutmentmembers 32 and 32a respectively, provide a very convenient and practicalconstruction for taking up end thrusts. The valve inember 22 may beconveniently adjusted by means of the mechanism just described, and thesimple arrange-p ment of this mechanism is such as to render the valvestructure free from undue wear and stresses.

In addition to the above mentioned advantages,

it will be seen that my invention contemplates the provision of a rotaryvalve mechanism which is self-contained and independently supported inthe sense that the valve member is supported wholly within a taperedbearing. In other words, the'mechanism for driving said valve need notin any sense support, the valve. By this arrangement 1 am able to socouple the driving mechanism and the valve to prevent said valvefrombeing subjected to side thrusts; This side wear or thrust isparticularly noticeable in instances where the valve is coupled with aneccentrically positioned driving member. To avoid the transmission ofthis side thrust to the valve member I employ the tongue and groovearrangement shown in Figure 1. By this arrangement the side thrustexperienced by the driving member may'act in the direction of the grooveor slot 24, and in this manner prevent said side thrust from beingimparted to the valve member.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that my.

invention contemplates the provison, in combination with means forsupplying fluid under varybearing sections providing v lve seats, atapered ing pressures, of a bearing or valve construction which isadapted to receive the fluid under the higher pressure between theadjacent surfaces of the bearing or valve elements, and to receive thefluid at the lower pressure at one extremityot said parts. By thisarrangement the proper positioning of a fluid fllm between the valve orbearing parts is maintained, and the fluid moves slowly toward one endin accordance with the adjusted arrangement or disposition of the parts.

Having thus described my'invention, what I claim as new and desiretqsecure by Letters Patent is: v 1..A valve construction eluding a pairof valve member rotatable in each of said'sea'ts, the

larger extremities of said valve members terminating at the adjacentportionsof said bearing sections, a non-yieldable thrust bearing at theadjacent extremities of said valve members, arid adjustable abutmentmeans for said thrust bearings.

2. In combination with fluid propelling means for supplying fluid undera given pressure and fluid propelling means for supplying fluid under alesser pressure, a bearing device having an internal bearing surface, atapered membermounted within said bearing device, 'means for directingfluid under the higher pressure from said fluid suppl'ying'means to theadjacent bearing surfaces of said parts, and means for conducting fluidfrom the other fluid supplying meansto one extremity of said taperedmember. T

3. In combination with fluid propelling'nieans for supplying fluid undera given pressure and fluid propelling means for supplyi s'fluidundeialesser pressure, a bearing device having an internal tapered bearingsurface, a, tapered bearing member rotatably mounted within said bearingdevice, means for directing fluid under the higher pressure from saidfluid supplying means to a point between the adjacent tapered surfacesof saidparts, and means for directing 'fluid from spam-1s the otherfluid supplying means to a pointed jacent the larger extremity of saidrotatable member.

fie. In combination with fluid propelling means for supplying fluidunder a given pressure and fluid propelling means for supplying fluidunder 5. In combination with fluid propelling means for supplying fluidunder a given pressure and fluid-propelling means for su'pplyingfluidunder a lesser pressure, a bearing device having an in-v ternal taperedvalve member vice, means for pressure to a point between the adjacentbearing surfaces of said parts, a chamber positioned at the largerextremity of said valve member, and means for conducting fluid fromtheiother' fluid supplying means to said chamber.' 6. The method ofcontrolling the conveyance of bearing surface, a frusto-conicalrotatable within said bearing deconducting fluid under the higher fluidunder pressure between relatively rotatable members having adjacentlypositioned and separable bearing surfaces, which consists in forming afluid fllm between said adjacently positioned bearing surfaces, limitingthe extent to which,

said bearing surfaces tainins' said fluid fllm relative rotation to.

may be separated, mainunder pressure during said said bearing surfaceswithin said restricted limits, causing fluid under pressure to beconveyed between said relatively tating members within the comma of saidfluid fllm under pressure, said fllm, thus servingns a seal againstleakage ofthe conveyed fluidialong said bearing surfaces,

and effecting the slow with respect to said rotation v action thereof.

migration of said fluid film surfaces during the relative 7. A valveconstructionf for receiving and dis-- charging fluid under pressureincluding, a tapered valveseat, a correspondingly tapered valveextending within said seat; cooperative ports in said tapered seat andvalve for controlling the flow of fluid therethrough duringrelativerotation of said valve and seat, and means for securing preservethe separation of ofsaid members to facilitate the sealing said taperedseat and valve against relative axial f displaeement due to fluidpressure experienced within mentary surfaces of said seat and valve tobe spaced from each other a distance whichis just said ports and forenabling the complesuflicient to insure the presence of a fluid fllm andthereby maintain the volumetric migrationv of fluid between saidcomplementary surfaces.

negligible throughout an operating range of fluid pressures experiencedwithin said ports.

8. A'valve constructionior receiving and discharging fluid underpressure inclu i g, a' tapered valve seat, a correspondingly taperedvalve extending within said seat, cooperative parts in said tapered seatand valve for controlling the flow of fluid therethrough during,

relative rotation of said valve and seat, means for securing saidtapered seat and valve against sure experienced within said ports andfor enrelative axial displacement due to fluid pres-- tremity.

abling the complementary surfaces of said seat and valve to be spacedfrom each other a distance which is just sufficient to insure thepresence of a fluid fllm and thereby maintain the volumetric migrationof fluid between said complementary surfaces negligible through anoperating range of fluid pressures experienced within said ports, andfluid salvaging means associated with a larger extremity of said valveto receive fluid which moves toward said exand valve to be spaced fromeach other a discomplementary surfaces tance which is just suflicient toinsure the presence of a fluid film and thereby maintain the volumetricmigration of fluid between said complementary surfaces negligiblethroughout an operating range of fluid pressures experienced 'withinsaid ports, the adjustability of the securing means serving to controlthe degree of spacing between the complementary surfaces of the seat andvalve.

10. A valve construction for receiving and discharging fluid underpressure including, a tapered valve seat, a correspondingly taperedvalve extending within said seat, cooperative ports in said tapered seatand valve for controlling the flow of fluid therethrough during relativerotation of said valve and seat, and a thrust bearing cooperating withthe larger extremity of the valve for securing said tapered seat andvalve against relative axial displacementclue to fluid pressureexperienced within said ports and for enabling the' complementarysurfaces of said seat and valve to be spaced from each other a distancewhich is just sufllcient to insure the presence of a fluid fllm andthereby maintain the volumetric migration of fluid between said corn--plementary surfaces negligible through an oper- ,ating range of fluidpressures experienced within said ports.

11. A valve construction for receiving and discharging fluid underpressure including, a tapered valve seat, a correspondingly taperedvalve extending within said seat, cooperative ports in said tapered seatand valve for controlling the flow of fluid therethrough during relativerotation of said valve and seat, a fluid receiving chamber at oneextremity of said valve, and means for securing said tapered seat andvalve against relative axial displacement due to fluid pressureexperienced within said ports and for enabling the complementarysurfaces of said seat and valve to be spaced from each other a distancewhich is just sufficient to insure the presence of a fluid fllm andthereby maintain the volumetric migration of'fluid between saidnegligible throughout an operating range of fluid pressures experiencedwithin said ports.

12. A valve construction for receiving and dising action thereof.

charging fluid under pressure including, a tapered valve seat, acorrespondingly tapered valve extending within said seat,acooperativeports in said tapered seat and valve for controlling the flow .of fluidtherethrough during relative rota- 5- tion of said valve and seat, andanti-friction bearing means for securing said tapered seat and valveagainst relative axial displacement due to fluid pressure experiencedwithin said ports and for enabling the complementary surfaces of said 10seat and valve to be spaced from each other a distance which is justsuflicient to insure the presence of a fluid fllm and thereby maintainthe volumetric migration of fluid between said complementary surfacesnegligible through an operating range of fluid pressures experiencedwithin said ports.

13. A valve construction'for receiving and discharging fluid underpressure including, a tapered valve seat, a correspondingly taperedrotary valve 20 extending within said seat, cooperative ports in saidtapered seat and valve for controlling the flow of fluid therethroughduring relative rotation of said valve, and means for securing saidtapered seat and valve against relative axial dis- 25 placement due tofluid pressure experienced within said ports and for enabling thecomplementary surfaces of said seat and valve to be spaced from eachother a distance which is just sufficient to insure the presence of afluid film and thereby 30 maintain the volumetric migration of fluidbetween said complementary surfaces negligible throughout an operatingrange of fluid pressures experienced within said ports.

14. A valve construction for receiving and discharging fluid underpressure including, a tapered valve seat, a correspondingly taperedvalve extending within said seat, cooperative ports in said tapered seatand valve for controlling the flow of fluid therethrough during relativerotation of said 40 valve and seat, said valve having fluid conductingpassages extending longitudinally thereof for communication with saidports, said passages being small enough in cross section as comparedwith the cross sectional area of the valve to pre- 45 vent said valvefrom experiencing lateral distortion as a result of fluid pressureexperienced within said passages, and means for securing said taperedseat and valve against relative axial displacement due to fluid pressureexperienced with- 50 in said ports and for enabling the complementarysurfaces of said seat and valve to be spaced from each other a distancewhich is just sufficient to insure the-presence of a fluid film andthereby maintain the volumetric migration of fluid be- 55 tween saidcomplementary surfaces negligible throughout an operating range of fluidpressures experienced within said ports.

15. The method of controlling the conveyance of fluid underpressurebetween a pair of mem- 6o bers having adjacently positioned relativelymovable bearing surfaces which comprises forming a sealing fluid filmbetween said surfaces, maintaining said surfaces a predetermineddistance apart to preserve the film intact during relative 5 movement ofsaid surfaces, maintaining said fluid fllm under pressure, causing fluidto be conveyed between said members within the confines of said fllm,and effecting a slow' migration of said fllm with respect to saidsurfaces to facilitate the seal- 70 ERNEST J. SYVENSON.

